1549
you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
[-] DeathByBigSad@sh.itjust.works 36 points 1 month ago

Because the cheapest new iPhone is $600 and you can get a cheap new android phone for around $100-$200 and get 6 years of security updates (Galaxy A16 for example)

If a smartphone is no longer a computer where you can install whatever you want, why bother investing so much money on a very locked-down phone? You can use the hundred of dollars you saved to spend on a small portable PC or something to run any software you want.

[-] RedFrank24@lemmy.world 5 points 1 month ago

Yeah but my banks don't support my small portable PC, nor does my mobile phone provider. If I wanted a small portable PC I'd get a small portable PC. What I want is a smartphone.

[-] Psythik@lemmy.world 3 points 1 month ago

$600 is pocket change for a phone these days. And for that $600 you're getting a flagship phone. You couldn't pay me enough money to put up with a non-flagship. Been there, done that. They're too slow and frustrating, and apps keep closing due to lack of RAM. Never again. I much rather spend $600-800 on a high-end device that's a couple of generations old.

[-] DeathByBigSad@sh.itjust.works 35 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago)

A $200 phone in 2015 is not the same as a $200 phone in 2025. I know from experience.

Those phones in 2015 were awful, but in 2025, they feel more like mid-range phones.

Edit: And $600 is pocket change? Sound like someone lived a privilaged life.

[-] Zen_Shinobi@lemmy.world 14 points 1 month ago

This 100%

I have used tracfone since 2012 and only bought phones from their store, sub $150. The budget phones today are so much better than the last 10 years.

I just can't wrap my head around sinking that much into a phone when you replace it every year and it cost as much as a decent budget computer, but worse.

[-] Ilandar@lemmy.today 3 points 1 month ago

I just can’t wrap my head around sinking that much into a phone when you replace it every year

Usually the people who replace their flagship phone every 1 - 2 years aren't paying full price for it, or at least not upfront. They are receiving trade-in and pre-order discounts, or spreading the cost out over a 12 - 24 month period through a plan with their telco.

[-] xthexder@l.sw0.com 1 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago)

I used my last phone for about 4 years. At that point the battery life was getting worse, and the coating to prevent smudges and make your finger slide easily had worn off in the middle. Even then it's still perfectly usable, I just wanted an upgrade and to get away from Samsung.

I don't understand the people that upgrade every year or two. In the last 5 years basically the only new development has been higher refresh rate displays and faker looking (more processed) camera images...

[-] Ilandar@lemmy.today 2 points 1 month ago

I don't think people are doing it because the new phones have better specs. It's more a social status flex or because tech consumerism (buying new toys) is a default hobby now for many.

[-] xthexder@l.sw0.com 2 points 1 month ago

That's unfortunate. Personally I can barely tell all the black rectangles apart. It's a utility for me, not a fashion accessory. Maybe if it was, I'd have an iPhone

[-] Psythik@lemmy.world 1 points 1 month ago

I make $19/hr and live paycheck to paycheck. I'm just being realistic about the current cell phone market.

[-] Ilandar@lemmy.today 6 points 1 month ago

Surely cost relative to income is more relevant than cost relative to the rest of the market? Something doesn't magically become cheap just because everything else is ridiculously expensive.

this post was submitted on 31 Aug 2025
1549 points (100.0% liked)

Technology

76090 readers
2235 users here now

This is a most excellent place for technology news and articles.


Our Rules


  1. Follow the lemmy.world rules.
  2. Only tech related news or articles.
  3. Be excellent to each other!
  4. Mod approved content bots can post up to 10 articles per day.
  5. Threads asking for personal tech support may be deleted.
  6. Politics threads may be removed.
  7. No memes allowed as posts, OK to post as comments.
  8. Only approved bots from the list below, this includes using AI responses and summaries. To ask if your bot can be added please contact a mod.
  9. Check for duplicates before posting, duplicates may be removed
  10. Accounts 7 days and younger will have their posts automatically removed.

Approved Bots


founded 2 years ago
MODERATORS